Bleacher Report - Articles by Charles L. Gare

Is Saku Koivu Finished as a Montreal Canadien?

Charles L. Gare — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:58:06 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens' Saku Koivu has played every game of his NHL career with the Canadiens, and even at 5'10" has proved to be a wonderful centre.

Saku was born November 23, 1974, in Turku Finland. He shoots left and was a first-round pick (21st overall) by the Canadiens in 1993.

Saku has played 11 seasons for the Habs.

In October, Koivu led the Canadiens with a plus-nine rating, and in March he scored two game-winning goals. During this season, Koivu played in 65 games, had 16 goals and 34 assists with a total of 50 points with a plus-four rating.

In the four playoff games against the Bruins, Saku had no goals and three assists, for a total of three points and a minus-one rating. His goals for the season overall tie him at 149th, his assists tie him at 79th, and his point ties him at 103rd.

Saku is now 34 years old.

On September 30, 1999, Saku was named the 27th Captain of the Montreal Canadiens, and was the first European-born captain in the history of the Canadiens.

After six seasons in the NHL, Koivu was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September 2001, and missed practically the entire 2001-02 season. He made an amazing recovery and was able to return for the playoffs, leading the Canadiens to an unlikely first-round upset of the number one-ranked Boston Bruins.

For his courage and off-ice team leadership while undergoing cancer treatment, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy following the 2002 playoffs. He followed up in the 2002-03 season by scoring his career best single-season point total to date with 71 (21 goals, 50 assists).

In the 2004-05 lockout year, Saku returned to Finland. He played under his father as head coach in the Finnish professional ice hockey league, along with his friend Craig Rivet.

The 2006-07 season was Koivu's personal best he had a total 22 goals and 53 assists in 81 games, totaling 75 points, scoring his 500th point as a NHL player that season. He also received the King Clancy award that year, as his Saku Koivu foundation was set up for its role in fighting cancer.

In October 2007 Saku was criticized by a nationalist lawyer Guy Bertrand for not being able to speak French. Koivu, who is fluent in English, Finnish, and Swedish, spoke limited French and was shy about using it in public. He responded to the remarks with the comment, "I'm not perfect."

Saku has proven over his years with the Canadiens that he is a battler. He beat cancer and came back to join the Habs in beating Boston. He received a serious eye injury in April 2006 playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes, following up the next year with eye surgery, and and has remained as a player to this day.

I feel that Saku Koivu has been a great addition to the Montreal Canadiens with his ability to fight through much bigger forwards and defence-man and lead the Habs effectively.

It has been said that Saku would like to finish his career playing with his brother Mikko in Minnesota with the Wild. I believe as a centreman he would be a better fit perhaps as a third liner for the Canadiens, taking a lot of the pressure off of him.

Saku, as far as I'm concerned, has more than shown his value to the NHL hockey and Montreal, and it is my hope as one of his biggest's fan's that he will return to the Canadiens. If Bob Gainey could get some bigger forwards to replace Koivu on the first line, Saku would be able to continue in his capacity as leader of this team.

Milan Lucic Asked for and Deserved What He Got

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:07:53 -0400

Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins has this strange idea he has the right to do whatever pleases him.

Now, don't all you Boston Bruins fans get your shorts in a knot—I'm not saying he is a bad hockey player.

But ever since his arrival in a Boston Bruins uniform, he has been the most arrogant, self-centered player that has ever laced up a pair of skates.

His action on Saturday night late in the game versus the Montreal Canadiens just proves how hot-headed and thoughtless he can be.

Now I know all you Bruins fans are going to lay this on Maxim Lapierre, because he came in to stick up for teammate Mathieu Schneider.

Lucic had already cross-checked Schneider, so his stick was at the ready when Lapierre showed up.

I know also that all you Bruins fans are going to say Lucic's glove hit Lapierre in the head. But it's not what hit him—it's the intent.

Not only did he get a two-minute penalty, but a 10-minute misconduct, and now because of what the league considers intent to injure, Lucic recieved a game misconduct.

I also know that so far none of this playoff between Boston and Montreal has gone the way of the Canadiens. That's all right—a team, no matter how good, cannot win them all, and the Bruins have not won this series yet.

I really feel that Lucic is a hot-tempered player who spends the majority of every game looking for trouble. His attitude also seems to be, "I can do whatever I want to you, but don't you do it to me."

In the last game played against the Canadiens in the regular season, Lucic couldn't take a hit from Mike Komisarek without retaliating. That one got him to penalty trouble also, but nothing stops this kid.

One of these days someone is going to knock his block off, and it will be a clean hit and Lucic will never see it coming. I know Lucic is big, and this is how he played junior hockey for the Vancouver Giants—but be forewarned, his day is coming.

As a Habs fan I looked at this incident differently than a Bruins fan I'm sure. But that doesn't change Lucic's intent to injure.

These head shots have to be taken out of the game before someone is seriously injured or killed. How will hockey fans feel if that happens?

Habs— Bruins: It's a Rite Of Spring

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:49:39 -0400

As we enter the playoffs this spring, nothing has changed except the placing of the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.

Last year, the Canadiens where first with a 104 points and it was Bruins then in eighth place. This year it's the Bruins with 116 points and the Habs 23 points lower in eighth place.

It will be the 32nd time these two teams have met in the playoffs. The Habs have largely dominated the series winning more than 75 percent of them. 24-7 for the Canadiens, can the Habs continue their winning ways versus the Bruins?

According to every statistic and sports writer/annoucer from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island when summing up this years standings they all say no. But this is the Canadiens versus the Bruins and all the standings and satistics go right out the window the moment the first puck is dropped.

Last year, these same know-it-all reporters/announcers said it would be the Canadiens trouncing the Bruins in five. Well guess what? It took them seven games to dispatch the "B's".

This year they are saying the Bruins in six, that the Canadiens have absolutely no chance. I say, and I'm no expert, but I am a die hard Canadiens fan, that if the Habs play their game which is speed, and don't try to match the Bruins' big boys Lucic and Chara they will surprise the majority of Bruins faithful.

If you don't believe me just look at the statistics my friends, the Montreal Canadiens are the superior team in this rite of spring contest versus the Boston Bruins. So take it for what it's worth, the Habs are not going to roll over and play dead for the '08-'09 Bruins.

Watch and learn from the Canadiens 24-7 in playoff victories versus the Bruins, and 24 Stanley Cups it's just a dream for this years or any years Bruins team. They will never compare to the mighty Bleu, Blanc, Rouge Go Habs Go!

Montreal Canadiens: A.K.A Line Has Been Great

Charles L. Gare — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:06:21 -0400

The A.K.A line that was recently put together, has been a very real influence for the Montreal Canadiens. For those who don't know this line, it is also known as, Alex Tanguay, Saku Koivu, and Alex Kovalev and they have been putting up points continually since Bob Gainey put them together.

During last nights game, Koivu scored the first of Montreal's three power play goals, and Kovalev had three assists in a 5-1 win over the Islanders. The Canadiens are (40-27-10) jumping over the New York Rangers into seventh place, as the Rangers lost to the Carolina Hurricans (4-2).

The Habs now have a one point lead over the Rangers, with five games remaining in their season. The Canadiens are now three points ahead of Florida, and two behind Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Alex Tanguay who also scored, said how much fun it is to have things in their own hands, with a game in hand on the Rangers. Mathieu Schneider, Andrei Markov, and Mike Komisarek, scored for Montreal, it was only Komisarek's second goal of the season.

Tanguay also mentioned that the Canadiens are not looking at where they are in the standings but at continuing to win. Saturday night will be their next game in Toronto against the Leafs, Ron Wilson has already said that Toronto is looking to spoil the Habs fun.

The A.K.A line has scored 27 points in five games, and scored 12 of the Canadiens last 21 goals. Koivu feels the line has played very well together that they are having fun.

The next step is get the Plekanec line clicking, because the forth line with George Laraque was really hitting on all cylinder's last night. Jaroslav Halak subbed in goal last night, as No. 1 goalie Carey Price was down with the flu.

The Canadiens are (5-3-3) since Bob Gainey took over behind the bench, during last nights game the Habs recorded 38 shots at Yan Danis. The Canadiens are (4-0-1) in their last five games.

The Habs it has been said have no chance in the playoffs maybe that's true, but once you make the playoffs anything can happen. Its a whole new season with a lot of potential, and they were not supposed to win the Stanley Cup in 1993, but guess what they did.

So I will end this article with, GO HABS GO!

Chicago Backhawks Vs Montreal Canadiens

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:21:45 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens played a young Chicago Blackhawks team last night and was ready for them from the opening whistle.

An icing that was ultimately waved off turned into a Montreal goal 25 seconds into the game and the Canadiens never looked back from there.

Both Koivu and Kovalev came down the ice with Saku peeling off to the right, and Alex pursuing the puck with Duncan Keith depositing it on to Kovalev's stick from there it was in the Chicago net.

The one thing I really noticed though in the first period was the lack of effort by the Canadiens forwards.

They where not back checking and helping the defence when the Blackhawks entered the Habs end.

But as the game progressed, the forwards picked up their checking role and helped out the defence.

Carey was on his game right from the get go, not allowing Chicago to score, a part of Price's game that had been missing for sometime.

That is squaring himself to the shooter and making himself big in the net, and that showed in last night's game.

On Carey's drive to the Bell Centre he came across Huet on a street corner.

In a later interview Price mentioned how much he was surprised by the Huet trade at last years trade deadline.

Also saying he felt sad by the trade, looking up to the 33-year-old French goal tender like an older brother.

Looking to Huet for advice, with Cristobal saying he didn't know if was a real mentor to Price.

But that he felt the young goalie was going to have a great career.

Also he felt that Price's game last night was excellent, Patrick Sharp ended Carey's bid for a shutout.

With Kovalev scoring in the first minute, Guillaume Latendresse, Andre Markov and Mathieu Schneider scoring for Montreal who are (39-27-10).

The Canadiens who are still just one point ahead of Florida due to the Panthers 5-2 win over Ottawa, the Canadiens win cost them though.

They lost Sergei Kostitsyn and Roman Hamrlik with what the team is calling upper body injuries.

The plays did not look like they would have resulted in any serious injury but apparently they did.

The Canadiens have gone (4-3-3) in their last ten games, which included a nine game home stand.

Four of their last six games are on the road, beginning with the New York Islanders on Thursday, who the Habs lost to in overtime during their recent home stand.

The Habs were scheduled to wear their vintage pajama uniforms but opted instead for a visually quieter jersey from 1913-14 with CA on the front instead of the CH.

Are the Habs back?

I really do hope so.

I know if the Canadiens had not won last night they would have been in a world of trouble. it wasn't just a win it was a convincing win.

And so lets see how the last six games go and then find out how this all works its self out.

The usual suspects sat out last nights game Ryan O'Byrne, George Larague, Matt D'Aogostini and Greg Stewart.

O'Bryne may be back soon if Hamrlik's injury is very serious, we will know soon when the Canadiens hits the ice Thursday night.

Lets hope its a win in New York, GO HABS GO!

Will the Montreal Canadiens Make the Playoffs?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:29:11 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens have been playing must win games for a while now.

The latest was against Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, March 28.

The Canadiens came from behind in this particular game, after being down 1-0 at the end of the first period.

By the end of the second period they were leading 3-2. In the third period they tried to play protect the lead—it didn't work and seldom does.

Soon thereafter the game was tied 3-3 and Buffalo was coming on strong. If not for Carey Price, the Habs would have lost in regulation time.

Looking back at the last few games played by the Canadiens, they have had a much better defencive effort, and shots on their goal have dropped dramatically. Also the new line of Tanguay, Koivu, and Kovalev, in the last three games since being put together, have a combined total of 21 points.

Tanguay, in his last five games since returning from injury, has piled up 10 points. (3-7-10). Alex Kovalev was the best player on the ice Saturday night, with a total of two goals scored.

Saku Koivu has been a big help on the that line combination also, he scored the game-winner against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. The one point Saturday should have been a two-pointer, but at least it kept the Habs in eighth place.

With Chicago Blackhawks coming to Montreal Tuesday and coming off a 4-0 loss to Vancouver, they will want a win vs the Canadiens. So the Habs had best be prepared to play some tough hockey, and get a win so they can start climbing back up the standings.

If the Canadiens stay where they are—in eighth place—their future will be a first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins. They are playing the Bruins once again on April 9, so we shall see how they finish out the season as that is their second to last game, with the last being against the Penguins.

Go Habs Go!

Bob Gainey: Does He Deserve To Keep His Job?

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:36:33 -0400

Mr Bob Gainey is a very intelligent hockey man, but as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens he has made some mistakes.

Mr. Gainey has been in this position for six years, and what has he accomplished?

He came to the Canadiens saying he would build the Habs through the Draft.

His highest draft pick thus far has been Carey Price, and the jury is still out on that one.

His biggest free agent signing was George Laraque, who has spent more time in the press box than on the ice.

Mr. Gainey's biggest trade has been for Alex Kovalev, and that can be good or bad on a game-to-game basis, as you never know what you're going to get from Alex consistently.

He has also fired two coaches—Claude Julien, who may be the coach of the year this season, and Guy Carbonneau, who was runner-up to coach of the year last season.

Bob is a very quiet man who came from a very simple background in Peterborough Ontario. His father was a soldier in the second world war, and a Quaker Oats employee. Bob was and is one of the best hockey prodigies to ever come out of Peterborough area.

Bob, as the general manager for the Canadiens, was also a star hockey player for them. He played 16 NHL seasons for the Habs, from 1973 to 1989, and was consider one of the best all-around players in the game.

So what does any of this background have to do with his ability as G.M. and Vice President of the Canadiens?

The answer of course is nothing, but life makes or breaks the man. Bob has had many things happen to him both as a husband and a father. He lost his wife Cathy to cancer 1994 and was left to raise his children Colleen, Laura, Steven, and Anna, who were aged 10 to 17 when she died.

In 2006, Mr. Gainey lost his daughter Laura when she was swept over board off the coast of Cape Cod. Difficulties in his life seem to be many but he continues on his chosen path, being both a Dad and hockey team's general manager.

He claims that a lot of his life chooses where made by what his parents instilled in him in his youth, especially his father. I know that Canadiens fans don't want questions or history of the man Bob Gainey, they want answers, and I feel this information is all part of who Bob Gainey is both as a player and a G.M.

I suppose we can blame Bob for all that has happened to the Habs since the calendar changed from 2008 to 2009. That is the simplest thing to do. But until someone better comes along and they are few and far between, lets not lynch Mr. Gainey up just yet, because I cannot do a better job. Can you?

So let the season play itself out, as there only nine games left and then make our decision, when the time comes. Ours will not make any difference in the big picture, so just cheer for the Canadiens and let sleeping dogs lie.

Are The Montreal Canadiens In Trouble for the 2008-09 Season?

Charles L. Gare — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:10:46 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens hockey team of 2008/09 has become a team that Habs fans have loved to hate this year. The season started off with a bang, that seemed to fulfilling the predictions that the Canadiens would win the East and make a run at their twenty fifth Stanley Cup.

The first half of their season was going well, but the Bruins were disappearing off into the sunset. And the Canadiens where sinking from second ,to forth, to fifth, and now in the month of March they have sunk to eighth and are tied for the time being with the Florida Panthers.

The second half of the Habs season began well with a boat load of Canadiens in the all-star game. Carey Price's season was going very well a return from an high ankle sprain and then the all-star game and it began to unravel.

Enter Jaroslav Halak and neither he nor Price seemed to be able to win any games, a trip west proves fatal coming back with one win an a tie. They return home to meet the Ottawa Senators and are out shot but win the game, thanks in large part to Halak.

Guy Carbonneau keeps Halak in the net for a few more starts and its proving a good idea as his goalie of choice is stopping every puck shot at him. But because Carey Price is supposed to be the Canadiens future in goal they put him back in, only to find out he cannot stop a beach ball.

Don Cherry has said over and over on coaches corner that Price being out scored 9-1, in the young guns game at the all-star match made him lose his confidence. I don't know if that's the truth, but I do know he certainly hasn't been the same since then, and its not getting any better.

Why I've said all of this I'm not sure, but what I have in mind is that this 2008/09 Canadiens team hasn't jelled as a team. Carey had sixteen wins in the first half of the season only to fall apart, their top scorer Robert Lang was lost for the season with a severed tendon.

The injury bug continued to bite many of the teams top players Mathieu Dandineau broken arm, Alex Tanguay shoulder injury and on and on it goes. Everyone kept saying that Guy Carbonneau would be on the chopping block next, but he seemed to be hanging in there.

The Canadiens where winning and had a five and two record, and low and behold the coach is fired, and is replaced by the general manager Bob Gainey. Teams that are cellar dwellers the Canadiens couldn't beat with a stick, their season has come down to ten games remaining eighth place, and possibly out of the playoffs.

It is my desire for the Montreal Canadiens to have a successful 1ooth anniversary and show their fans that they capable. last Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs the Habs were booed off the ice after a 5-2 drupping. Everyone who is anyone in the sports world says the Canadiens have lost all their confidence and are not playing with any grit or desire.

As a fan of the Canadiens since I was a kid, I do not want to admit that my Bleu, Blanc, Rouge is in this kind of shape, but as I'm writing this article reality is begining to set in. I guess I have answered my own question are the Montreal Canadiens in trouble in season 2008/09?

YES!

And the Atlanta Trashers are in town, let's hope it is a win, GO HABS GO!

Bob Gainey's Canadiens Sinking Like the Titanic!

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:31:03 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens' Anniversary Year has been nothing short of disappointing.

The Canadiens have played teams they should have beaten easily, only to come out on the losing end of these games.

Last week, even against the lowly New York Islanders, the Habs fell to a 4-3 overtime loss.

They are continually outshot in their games. Saturday, against the New Jersey Devils, Jaroslav Halak stopped 45 shots and they lost 3-1.

I'm not saying they should have beaten Martin Brodeur and the Devils. But I can tell you it would not be so disappointing if the Habs played better defensive hockey and gave themselves a chance.

There have been games this season where the Canadiens were in it from the beginning, but they're few and far between. The firing of Guy Carbonneau was just a matter of time, and the reason for it apparently he didn't talk to his players.

Which, as a player himself, he should have known better. Different players were asked why they where being sent to the press box. Steve Begin, who was recently traded, said I don't know, I wasn't told. Other Habs players in a similar situation were saying the same things.

Now I realize that this is not the first time the Canadiens have had a poor season. Two years ago, they sat out the playoffs after missing the cut by one point. That was due to a final-game loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs—who also sat out the playoffs, thanks to the New York Islanders.

My point here is that has a Habs fan, I keep hoping the next season will be like 1971 when it all came together. Those were the days of Henri Richard and Jean Beliveau. The year before, they had been ousted from the playoffs!

This year has been the one, with the big celebration, Now some would say that's the problem so much time celebrating the 100th, that it has been a distraction to the players.

I know that these days of the cap do not allow for teams to have dynasties, but I'm not sure that's the absolute truth either. Year after year, the Red Wings seem to hang in there, along with the the Sharks.

The Montreal Canadiens this year have fifteen players who will be free agents, and there has been no effort on the part of Bob Gainey to re-sign any of them. I realize he wants to build the Canadiens through the draft, which he has done—but you need veterans so there is experience on the ice.

I have believed in Mr.Gainey's approach so far, but he is scaring me now. What's next for the Canadiens? The team needs the Kovalevs and Komisareks to put a winning season together.

After this season the next big question is, who will coach this team? I still have high hopes for this year but each new day and game is starting to wear on me, with losses continually piling up.

With the bottom dwellers putting their games together, the Canadiens have slid to sixth place. How long before they are eighth or ninth and out again?

The Montreal Canadiens have put so much importance on their history that they have forgotten how play the game, which won them twenty four Stanley Cups.

There is not another team in the NHL who will ever accomplish what the Canadiens have, but it means nothing if they cannot play in today's game, and once again become an elite team.

Guy Carbonneau: From Jack Adams Finalist to Fired

Charles L. Gare — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:18:59 -0400

Guy Carbonneau has gone from the promising coach of the Montreal Canadiens and a Jack Adams finalist with a contract extension to getting fired in less than three years time.

During a Monday night press conference, Canadiens general manager and interim head coach Bob Gainey said that of all the decisions that he's made, hiring Carbonneau to coach the Habs was his best.

So what happened in such a short period of time?

Last year, it seemed as if Carbonneau could do no wrong.

The Canadiens were playing up to their potential and ended the 2008 season in first place. But specific moves by the GM hurt the team, particularly the decision by Gainey to trade his veteran goalie Cristobal Huet away to Washington for a draft pick.

This move forced Montreal to place Carey Price, a 20-year-old kid at the time, as the team's No. 1 goalie. Carey didn't seem overmatched until the intensity turned up and the playoffs began.

First, it was Boston. It took seven games for Montreal to dispatch the Bruins, and Price's glove seemed to be letting him down too often. After first round success, Montreal faced Philadelphia who dumped the Canadiens in five games.

It was a disappointing loss, but the team looked like they would recover, communicating the attitude of, "Oh well, we will continue from here into 2009, our anniversary year, and win the Stanley Cup."

The Canadiens started the 2009 season strong and looked good until the all-star break. A number of new players brought in to supply energy, including Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang, were doing a great job revving the team up for a playoff run.

Lang in particular was excellent. He was leading the team in scoring until his season-ending injury. Tanguay was hurt also and is just now coming back with 16 games left.

Being the coach of an NHL team is never a secure position. A few slips here and there and it's "don't let the door hit you on the way out."

This was a particularly harsh dismissal for two reasons: Carbonneau was a very fine player for the Habs, and he is a close friend of Gainey's, which I'm sure made it even harder for both of these gentlemen.

In less than one year, the Canadiens plunged from first to fifth in the standings. In 2008, Montreal was the No. 1 power play club in the league and dropped from 12th to 16th in Goals Against Average.

2009 has been tough for scoring also. Right now, the Canadiens are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race—not exactly rock solid. Carolina, with the same number of points, 77, and Pittsburgh at 76 are neck-in-neck.

Montreal, with 77 points, has to either go ahead and start winning a good amount of the 16 remaining games or risk falling out of the playoffs altogether.

The Habs could shift from fifth to ninth in the blink of an eye. Can Gainey get them on track? We shall see. The last time that he fired a coach and took over behind the bench, they made the playoffs but didn't last long.

I am a big fan of Carbonneau, and I must say that I'm very disappointed with this decision. But from what I have read and heard, he was too soft with his players and found it hard to discipline them and get certain individuals into gear.

Gainey is a very soft-spoken gentleman as well, but seems to have a different demeanor behind the bench than Carbonneau. With Don Lever coming in from Hamilton, this could light a fire under this Canadiens team, especially those who came up under his tutelage as drafted players through the Montreal system.

I know head coaches come and go, and that there were many Habs fans out there who wanted to throw Carbonneau under the bus long before now. So far, the bench coaches are staying along with Lever's promotion, so we shall soon see what the outcome of this move to fire Carbonneau will be.

Let’s hope that they play up to their potential and we have a repeat of 1993. Anything is possible.

But is it realistic?

You can answer that, Habs fans, and I'm sure many of you will.

Montreal Canadiens: What Does 5-1, 2-0, and 3-1 Add Up To?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:28:46 -0400

The Montreal Canadiens last three road games add up to a total of eight goals against, with four goals for the Habs.

A 5-1 loss against Buffalo, a 2-0 shut out lose against Atlanta, and a 3-1 win against the Stars in Dallas.

The shots on their own net, I don't even want to think about. That number is over the top.

The majority of Canadiens fans want to dump the loses on Price and Halak. Now, I agree they could both play better, but I think they are both in shell shock.

Those responsible for scoring and defending the net have not exactly being doing a bang-up job. In Buffalo, Carey couldn't stop anything. In Atlanta, he stopped thirty shots but still lost. In Dallas, they only got one puck behind him, along with a Dallas forward placed there neatly by Tom Kostoupolis, resulting in a power play.

There were nine power plays against, and one for the Canadiens. At one point there where more Canadiens in the penalty box than on the bench—or so it seemed.

It was good to see Andrei Kostitsyn score again his first point since Habs-Gate, and then Kovalev, and finally Higgins. The Canadiens are coming home now to begin a nine-game homestand starting with Edmonton, whom they didn't fair well against in Alberta.

The same thing happened while in Vancouver with a bad lose, but when the Canucks came to Montreal they were shut-out. So as for what will happen on Tuesday I have no idea. But Carey seems to be picking his game up again so maybe the flu that touched Halak was a good thing.

Not that Halak was doing a poor job—he certaintly wasn't—but Price needed to get back to basic's and start winning again. The Habs have gotten back into fifth place with the win on Sunday but there is still a lot of teams breathing down their necks.

So this homestand will show us whether they will be up to the challenge or not. if they can win the major amount of the games while on their own ice, then I would say they should come out it in a good position.

Finally, let's just say GO HABS GO—and leave it at that!

Maybe the Montreal Canadiens Should Try 60 Minutes of Hockey

Charles L. Gare — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:01:50 -0500

The Canadiens played with great gusto, pounding the puck at Patrick Lalime. Power plays and five on five resulted in nothing, with the first period ending in 0-0 tie.

The Habs came out flat in the second period and Carey, who had not played to this point, suddenly had to face shots and that didn't go well.

The Sabres power plays resulted in goals, even a Montreal power play became a Buffalo goal. When a team stops skating it's evident the whole game turns completely around and the end result was a 5-1 win for Buffalo.

The game of hockey is a sixty minute allotted time. If you play for sixty minutes you will win a majority of your games. But if you play it for fifteen minutes and can't score, it's not time to give up, but rather to keep pounding the oppositions net.

That didn't happen and now the Habs move onto Atlanta. Their road record lately has only resulted in two wins in Colorado and Philadelphia. That's not good enough, and their record shows it, as they are only ten games over five hundred

Yesterday's trade deadline resulted in no moves for the Canadiens.

I don't know of course how hard Mr. Gainey worked the phones, but Calgary came out the winner at the end of the day. Do I think the Montreal Canadiens can win the Stanley Cup with the team they have right now?

No!

The only way that will happen is if every eastern team lays down and quits, and we all know that is not going to happen. So I guess Habs fans can kiss the anniversary season goodbye. They probably will make the playoffs, but how long they will last is anybodies guess.

Jaroslav Halak—How Much Longer Can He Keep Winning?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:11:54 -0500

Jaroslav Halak has been a mainstay in the Montreal Canadiens net of late, as the Habs have been out-shot in most, if not all, of their last four wins. Halak has stood tall through the last four games with Ottawa, Vancouver, Philadelphia, and San Jose. Most of these games, the Habs have seen as many as 45 shots directed at their goal.

On Saturday evening in an interview with Bob Gainey, Gainey mentioned that the team is working to get Carey Price's confidence up to the level it was at the beginning of the season. When he was on, he was one of the top goalies in the league!

When Price went down with an high ankle sprain early in January, he was not the same upon his return. Actually, both he and Halak couldn't pull off a win for a while, and the road trip out west gave evidence of that—with one win and a tie.

But the return back to the Bell Centre seemed to light a fire under Halak's butt, and he has stopped just about everything directed at him. This has kept Price on the bench for now, but reality tells you Carey is the future of the Canadiens, and he will soon be back between the pipes.

The acquisition of Schneider has certainly improved the power play. Mathieu has scored two power-play goals since his return to the Habs. Sending Alex Kovalev home for two games has helped his play somewhat, as he has had seven points since his return to play.

But how can Jaroslav keep winning?

With all that rubber being directed at him, if the Canadiens do not start getting more shots at the opposition's goaltender, Halak won't be able to keep winning. In Saturday's game against the Sharks, the Canadiens were out-shot in the second period by a margin of 36-6.

I'm hoping that this year's trade deadline will help Montreal. Another defensive player and a strong presence up front would help. Every year, they make a play for the big name, and always seem to come out on the losing end of these deals.

Why?

You always hear that players don't want to come to the pressure cooker that is Montreal, but hopefully this year, the Habs will be looked at as a possible destination for a Stanley Cup. There's nothing wrong with hoping and dreaming, is there?

In the mean time, let's hope that the winning keeps up, with Halak between the pipes and Montreal continuing to improve their position in the standings. With the Flyers losing Sunday, a win in Buffalo on Wednesday would put the Habs ahead of Philadelphia by one point—a good place to be.

Chronicling Gary Bettman's Rocky Tenure as NHL Commissioner

Charles L. Gare — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:35:29 -0500

What can I say about Gary Bettman that the world out there hasn't already said, he is not well liked. Apparently he has a radio talk show where they screen all the callers so he will not have anyone who disagrees with him.

That's pretty neat if I do say so my self, a completely agreeable talk show interesting, no arguments! Gary started his tenure as the NHL's Commissioner in 1993 until present, Bettman is a lawyer by trade.

Before the NHL, he was a senior executive in the NBA league office for twelve years. Gary started this job almost immediately dealing with labour strife because unhappy owners did not like the 1992 CBA.

It was said that a big part of Bettman's work as commissioner was to "Americanize" the game, and they felt he didn't appreciate the place hockey occupied in Canada's culture.

The Owners voted to lockout the players at the beginning of the 1994/95 season, the end result was the lose of half the season that year,The playoffs in 1994 were the most exciting in NHL history.

So the first few years of Bettman's tenure in the NHL dealt with labour unrest.

Getting a national television contract was a top priority for Bettman, the lockout got the new partnership with Fox off to a rocky start. Under Bettman the NHL became a global sport with preseason games in Europe, and regular season games played in Japan.

During this so called global outreach the NHL All-Star game took on a new look, with North American players taking on European players. This format had great interest at first but grew tiresome, and the East vs the West returned after five years.

Gary in an attempt to draw more fans was a big part of making rule changes that saw overtime changed to 4-on-4, awarding one point to the losing team. This did not go over well with hockey traditionalist's, economics became a major issue during the Bettman era.

Smaller teams where forced to move. The Winnipeg Jets where one of the small market teams that moved south, along with the Quebec Nordics, and this angered Canadians. Meanwhile the six teams remaining in Canada since Bettman took over as commissioner, have struggled to compete.

With Montreal being the only team to win the Stanley Cup, and no Canadian team making the finals for 10 years until 2004.

With the NHL leaving its loyal Canadian fan base and going south in search of new fans in such places as Dallas, Anaheim, Miami, Phoenix, Carolina, Nashville, and Columbus received NHL franchises for the first time.

While the league returned to Denver, Atlanta and Minnesota, growing from 24 teams in 1994 to 30 in 2000. The NHL realigned its self going from four to six divisions in 1998, with some of the new teams struggling to establish a fan base.

This caused critics to say the NHL had grown to fast, thus hurting its financial solvency.

The league was in another lockout, with owners wanting the players to except a salary cap, and also revenue sharing to help struggling teams such as Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Buffalo, who declared bankruptcy.

Unlike the 1994 lockout Bettman was willing to sacrifice the entire season, and that was exactly what happened.

The NHL became the first league to lose an entire season due to a work stoppage. Bettman and the owners were not going to blink, and eventually there was a settlement with salaries capped at 54 percent of league revenues, meaning the cap could go up or down depending on how well the league was doing.

After the dust settled the NHL had to win back its fan base, so Bettman came up with new rules to speed up the game. Two line passes, enforcing holding, and players could no longer deliberately shoot the puck into the stands. Bettman also took away ties adding a shoot out at the end of a five minute overtime.

The lockout caused a lot of damage, and the league could not get a deal in place with ESPN, thus leaving them with Outdoor Life Network. OLN had big plans for the hockey and eventually they changed their brand to Versus, but this all hurt the NHL's exposure.

This left them with a 1.1 viewer rating in game three of the 2007 Stanley Cup finals between the Ducks and the Senators.

As the NHL moves on Commissioner Bettman has continued the leagues Global outreach with Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks starting the 2007/08 season in London. With future plans which included Prague and Stockholm 2008, also outdoor games have gained a foothold.

Pittsburgh and Buffalo on New Years day, a game broadcast on NBC had the highest rating of an NHL game in 10 years.

This has now prompted the NHL to have future outdoor games, with Detroit and Chicago being the latest. Gary Bettman's job as the commissioner started out rocky and has in many ways continued in that vain, Canadian hockey fans have felt ignored by him with his seeming lack of interest in the fact that the game is initially a Canadian game.

When the draft took place in Columbus, OH, Bettman was widely booed, and as a hockey fan I feel the Mr. Bettman is not a very popular amongst the tradionalist's who bleed hockey 12 months a year.

Also I want to make a note that this material that I used here had to be looked up, as I don't know Mr Bettman personally I did know some of his history but not enough to write an article regarding his position as the commissioner of the NHL.

Canadiens-Canucks: Montreal Outshot 34-16, Still Come Away with Win

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:23:11 -0500

What can you say about this effort by the Canadiens except this?

If they keep getting outshot by this wide of a margin, they are in trouble.

Was I impressed by Jaroslav's shutout?

Why yes—who wouldn't be!

But I also know that the Flyers are next and if the Canadiens do not get more shots on goal than they did on Luongo, they will lose.

Halak was the star of the show last night, along with his defence who blocked shots and his goal post, who also saved the day. Giving the Canadiens a win over Vancouver at home for the first time in eight years.

But again this kind of effort will not continue to be rewarded against the Flyers at their barn, and the Sharks, who are in Montreal on Saturday. Don't get me wrong, I was the one of the happiest Habs fans in Canada when they got the shutout—but reality says this lack of shots on the opposition's net will not continue to result in wins.

Luongo said he felt they outplayed the Canadiens, and he was right. Alex Kovalev hit a post, and recieved a penalty and had an assist on Markov's goal, so he wasn't heard from very much in this game. Tomas Plekanec also received a penalty shortly thereafter putting the Habs in a three-on-five situation.

The Canadiens spent a lot of time in their own end of the ice. Koivu, who was a game time decision because of the flu, saved their bacon. Diving for the puck, he was able to get it to Plekanec, who then stuck it in the net on Luongo's glove side.

The next goal was a nice setup from Kovalev to Plekanec, then on to Markov and in the net for a 2-0 score. Vancouver then pulled Luongo for a six-on-five chance but it resulted in Montreal's third goal with six seconds left in the game.

I am not a pessimist. I know the effort was there. But the Habs can not expect to be trapped in their own end against the up coming competition and pull off another win.

Halak or Price, it will not matter—the end result will be more loses for the Habs. The only way there will be a continuous string of wins is for them to get more shots for than against.

Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth Showing Their Worth in 2009

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:23:03 -0500

I haven't written an article on Nascar so far this season which is two races in, and Matt Kenseth has won a rain shortened Daytona 500, and the Auto club 500, that had some sprinkles that caused four cautions.

Both Gordon and Kenseth failed to win a race last year, but this year it's been a coming out party for both. So far this year Jeff has ended up in thirteenth position at Daytona with a last minute pit stop, and second yesterday.

Yesterday's race showed a different Jeff Gordon. He looked like he was shot out of a gun and immediately headed for the front from his sixth place start. The only thing in his way was No. 48 and that was soon overcome, and he was leading the race for the first time.

If anything kept Gordon from winning the race, it was his pit stops. They were not exceptionally slow, just slower than Kenseth. That final pit stop was the one Gordon needed to win, but he didn't so he gave it his all to catch and pass the No. 17; however, it was not to be.

In the post race interview Jeff said he was happy with a great race, but at the same time mad that he was unable to win. Gordon felt his pit crew had done a good job and that Steve Latarte and his crew had given him a great car.

The Hendrick cars were having a very difficult time yesterday with Mark Martin's engine blowing up and Dale Earnhardt Jr. losing power and having to go to the garage with similar problems. Jimmie Johnson started strong, but he fell back as the race continued; however, he did make a brief showing at the end.

Kyle Busch had a great seat to watch Gordon and Kenseth duke it out from his position which was four seconds back. The media had gone on all day about his chance to make history as a three time weekend winner I thought it was a great place for him to be.

In his interview, he said that it was good to see two superstars go at it. Gordon is 81 points behind Kenseth, but the season only just began. I think we are in for a treat this year from the No. 24 team.

Will the Real Montreal Canadiens Please Stand-Up?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:12:11 -0500

I don't know what to expect anymore from the Montreal Canadiens as this season progresses. They went on a six game road trip out west getting a grand total of three points. They won one game against Colorado that they should not have won.

Then they had a tie against Washington which was probably the best game of the road trip. Carey Price didn't look good at all during the road trip, in fact he did a perfect imitation of a sieve.

Before the road trip had ended they banish Alex Kovalev from the team for at least two games, leaving everyone wondering was he done as a Hab?

With all that and the red hot Senators coming into their home barn, what will happen now?

In an answer to that they start the afternoon game with a bang, scoring first, and three minutes later the previously banned Kovalev steals the puck from Chris Phillips and scores on Elliot.

They are not only suddenly scoring, but they are beating the Senators to the puck and creating chances...something they did not do on the road. With the first period ending with a 2-0 lead, what will the second period bring forth?

They continue their strong play and score again which brings an end to Elloit's game. With Jaroslav Halak doing a masterful job in net things look good. But the Sens started to fight for the puck and just when you thought a Canadiens' goalie might get a shut-out, no its 4-2.

Now onto the third. The Canadiens are buzzing again and score their fifth goal, but those Senators will not go away and with just a few minutes left they score goal number three.

Now Habs fans everywhere are glad for that fifth goal. With their goalie pulled the Senators fire everything but the kitchen sink at Halak. But the Canadiens come away with a much needed two points.

But I ask will the Real Montreal Canadiens please stand-up?

Will this strong skating and fighting for the puck continue as the Canucks come to town for a Tuesday night game?

Vancouver didn't look good against Toronto and needed a Sundin shoot-out goal to get their two points on Saturday. A week ago Sunday the Canadiens didn't look good vs. the Canucks. Maybe things will be different at home. I sure hope so.

The Montreal Canadiens: Guy Lafleur Is Speaking Out Of Turn!

Charles L. Gare — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:17:10 -0500

My plan this morning was to write about last night's game a 5-4 lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins. As disappointing as that was, the news today is worse.

This news, out of Montreal last night, was how Guy Lafleur is speaking out of turn in regards to the Bob Gainey, Alex Kovalev issue.

Now I realize that Lafleur is larger than life, or so he thinks, and was a wonderful Montreal Canadiens player in his day. He has many stats that are outstanding: 1127 games played, 560 goals, 793 assists, 1353 points.

He also has played in 128 playoff games. He scored 58 goals and recorded 76 assists in those games.

Despite all of his accomplishments, and a statue in front of the Bell Centre, it does not put him in a position to tell Mr. Gainey how to run the Montreal Canadiens. The word's out of his mouth were that Kovalev should quit as a Hab and Montreal's GM had no right to tell him to stay home.

First, asides from Guy Lafleur needing to mind his own business, he needs to realize that being an Ex-Canadiens star does not open the door for him to run the Canadiens.

As far as minding his own business, he has enough to keep him busy; with his son's problems and his part in it. The Canadiens have enough going on this year, and Lafleur should not be a part of it.

Now on to the alleged criminal activity, with team members.

The individual who the two team member's may have been involved with, Mangiola Pasquale, was caught in a sting operation. He has been arrested and questioned. I hope this problem proves to not involve any Canadiens player's; drug trafficking would destroy their career's.

The Canadiens where supposed to be the cream of the crop this year, instead they are struggling on and off the ice.

With all this, and Mr. Gainey trying to get the team back to their winning ways, no more interference from the outside is needed.

As far as last night's game, the Canadiens made a great effort against the Penguins. Especially when they came back to tie the game after being down 4-2 in the third period. Despite falling 5-4, lets hope that all the recent troubles don't translate to more losses on the ice.

All-Out Effort by the Canadiens Ends in a 4-3 S/O Victory for Washington

Charles L. Gare — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:56:49 -0500

The Montreal Canadiens came into Washington having more on their plate than necessary.

With the losing streak and Alex Kovalev being told to stay home for the remainder of the road trip, what else could happen to this team?

The game started out with the Canadiens getting a power play approximately two minutes into the game, and Christopher Higgins scoring from a bounce off the back boards.

Shortly thereafter, Ovechkin scored of course. It was a show as only he can do—nothing normal for Alexander.

What I noticed about the Habs last night was the fact that when pushed, they pushed back, even with the Caps scoring their second goal of the game.

They continued skating, and soon thereafter, they tied the score. During the second period, the Canadiens did a very admirable job of keeping Washington's big guns off the score sheet.

Carey Price made some big-time stops in this game, which allowed the Habs a chance to win it. It was his best game of late.

When the game started, all you could hear was Pierre McGuire saying the Canadiens did not have much of a chance. In the third, he picked Carey Price as his monster performer.

Plekanec put the Canadiens ahead 3-2 ,and it looked like they could pull it off and come away with a win. Shortly after that, a long shot by the Caps was tipped in the net.

In overtime, the Canadiens should have won on a bounce off the inside of the post. It went out of the net.

In the shootout, the Caps scored twice. The Habs did not score. Instead of two points, it's one point, and a great effort goes unrewarded.

This was the Canadiens' best game by far on this road trip, and they showed they could grind right along with Alexander and the boys from Washington.

Theodore was happy to beat his old team. If he had played anywhere near that good in Montreal, he would still be there.

Tonight, Sidney and his friends are up. Let's hope the Canadiens play the same style of hockey, and get two points.

At least, the trip would end with five points, which is a lot better than the three they have now.

Is Alex Kovalev's Time Up as a Montreal Canadien?

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:31:05 -0500

When I heard that Mr. Gainey had taken the step of having a chat with Alex Kovalev and telling him he was staying home, I was shocked at first.

The more I thought about it, though, I began to realize that the very reserved Bob Gainey is telling his star player he has not been playing good enough this season.

This move has been sitting in the wings for a while now, a couple of week's ago Carbonneau sat him and allowed him only three shifts in the third period of that particular game.

Alex has not played up to his potential this year. Last year he scored thirty five goals; this year, thirteen is all he has managed.

What I want to know is: Is Alex Kovalev finished as a Montreal Canadien?

There is a lot going on with this whole team right now, but Kovalev being the star that he is should be accomplishing far more.

What I have noticed this year is his habit of trying to keep the puck too himself, skating around trying to deke the other team's players, not passing off to any of his own team.

When he does this, he never fails to lose the puck—usually resulting in a play into Montreal's own end.

This is also two weeks before the trade deadline, and I wonder has Mr. Gainey put him out there as possible trade bait?

Alex is a very talented hockey player when he wants to be, and he can turn his season around.

Is that what Mr. Gainey is trying to do? He is not only speaking to Kovalev, but the whole Canadiens team—telling them to get off their collective butts, and start playing good hockey and winning again.

There are rumors out there that say Kovalev might be shipped out west—maybe Edmonton or Vancouver.

Also, there is that persistent rumor about Lecavalier coming to the Habs for Higgins and some other Canadiens.

I guess we will soon find out the end result of this bold move by Mr. Gainey,

Will it turn the team around? Is Washington and Pittsburgh going to be an all-out effort resulting in wins for the Canadiens?

Or will they come home to meet a very hot Senators team, with two more loses under their belt—and no Alex Kovalev?

Give it all you got, Bleu, Blanc, Rouge.

Will Mathieu Schneider Help or Hinder the Canadiens?

Charles L. Gare — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:31:32 -0500

Bob Gainey, the Canadiens Vice President and General Manager finally made a move yesterday acquiring Mathieu Schneider in exchange for draft picks.

Mathieu, a third round draft pick of the Canadiens in 1987, played seven years for the Habs and was then traded away.

Mathieu will turn 40 this June. He says he could perhaps play another two years, as along as he feels good.

He is also a unrestricted free agent come July 2009.

So will he stay or will he go?

Bob Gainey feels he is a great passer, who is able to see the ice well and help with the power play.

There was quite a bit of interest in Schneider with in the upcoming trade dead line, March 4th 2009.

So Mr. Gainey pulled the trigger now before other teams who were willing to wait until the deadline, when they might have more cap space.

But my original question was will Mathieu Schneider help or hinder the cause of the Canadiens?

He is not a big defense men weighing only 195 lbs. Mr. Gainey has already indicated he will need help in tight situations. His experience is certainly an asset.

I think the main reason he was brought back to the Habs was because the All-Star defense of Komisarek and Markov has been faltering of late.

But how far can he take the Canadiens in the playoffs?

They still need help up front and perhaps now they can make a move in that direction, lets hope so.

I find at times that no matter what the Habs' fans feel, Mr. Gainey is very thoughtful and never shows his hand before its absolutely necessary in team matters.

Everyone who is a Canadiens fan thought that he might fire Carbonneau, but that his not part of his plan to rescue this team from the doldrums of a losing skid.

Mr. Gainey accepted the job as the Montreal Canadiens VP & GM with the idea of rebuilding through the draft, and so far that has been his path of choice.

He has made the odd trade getting such players as Robert Lang when he could not get Matt Sundin to come to Montreal and that deal has proved to be a valuable one.

His deal for Alex Tanguay has worked out quite well as he should be back very soon from injury. This will be a big help.

I believe that this team will pick it up now and get back on to a winning streak, which will carry them on into the playoffs.

In answer to my own question yes I think Mathieu Schneider will help the Canadiens blue line, as long as he can stay healthy.

Hey Sweetheart: What's Happened To Your Game?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:52:53 -0500

The Montreal Canadiens have lost more than another game last night vs Vancouver, Alex Kovalev didn't have a shot on goal throughout this game.

This trip which has lead into the Valentine weekend has been anything but a sweetheart of a deal, with only one win so far and that was undeserved.

I don't know of course what's going to happen in Washington, or Pittsburgh.

But if the Canadiens do not play any different than they did in Calgary, Edmonton, Colorado or Vancouver, I can tell you this its not going to be a positive outcome.

The Canadiens scored on a play by Tom Koustoplus, and Saku Koivu in the first period and that was it until the third period.

I feel none of the Habs scorer's or their defence are playing good hockey, and nothing is going to change that fact, their play makers are anything but.

Unless they get it into their collective heads to start playing good hockey.

As Carbonneau said after last night's game if your best players are not their best every night nothing will change.

I like this team but they do not have a lot of self confidence it seems, Koivu has only ten goal's for the season, Kovalev thirteen, Robert Lang is gone for the remainder of the year, he was their top scorer.

Hopefully Alex Tanguay will be back soon, Mathieu Dandenault has played good hockey since he came back from a broken arm, but none of these are game breaker's.

The Canadiens need some one who can be that a game breaker and also play a good two way game.

They also need a defenceman who can help on the power play, of course they didn't have any power plays last night because the Canucks were never accessed a penalty throughout the game.

I can write this stuff until I'm blue in the face, but if Mr. Gainey can't find anyone to fill these needs, or as it was at last years trade time players do not seemed to want to play in Montreal.

And those who do are not filling the roles that are needed to be filled.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but the Canadiens are in a lot of trouble, they have not won a game against the Canucks since 2003.

No Jaroslav Halak, No Win For The Montreal Canadiens!

Charles L. Gare — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:36:43 -0500

The Canadiens win against the Colorado Avalanche last night was all thanks too Jaroslav Halak, he played a spectacular game stopping 46 of 48 shots.

Montreal seemed to be ready to play when the game started, but as the period progressed it seemed like it could go either way.

With Francis Bullion scoring and then Patrice Brisebois making it 2-0.

Will they keep playing hard?

During the second period the Canadiens where trapped in their own end, and with Colorado buzzing like a bunch of hornets at a picnic, they were hanging on by their teeth.

Now the score is 2-1 they keep coming, with Halak stopping everything in sight even it seem's pucks he couldn't see.

The Canadiens kept icing the puck trying desperately to hold on-to the lead, The Avalanche were heard to say Kovalev is not moving his feet tonight, lean on him.

And that's exactly what they did, actually none of the Canadiens seemed to be skating and were out shot in that second period 17-4.

With about nine minutes left in the third period and the Habs continuing to ice the puck the score is tied 2-2 and it looks like Colorado is going to come back all the way, and it will be eight loses on the road.

When the Canadiens find their legs and with a wonderful pass by Mathieu Dandenault to Andre Kostitsyn, he finds a way to score on Budaj.

Now its 3-2 will they win?

Yes! An empty net goal by Tom Kostopoulos ice's it for the Canadiens and the funny thing is he wasn't even trying to hit the goal he just wanted to get it out of their end, because of a Colorado power play.

Did the Canadiens deserve this win? Yes! Did they earn it? No!

This game should have been an Avalanche win, they out worked, and out skated the Canadiens.

Leaving me asking what where the Montreal Canadiens doing?

Their all-star defence of Markov and Komisarek are a collective -4 in the last four games.

Kovalev looks like he has lost all interest in hockey this year and can't wait to get back to Montreal.

Carey Price sitting on the bench seemed to have little or no interest in the ongoing proceedings, in fact he looked bored.

They have very small wingers and center men on this Habs team and are pushed around constantly with no push back.

If they don't get some help soon via trade they're going to fall out of contention they are only 10 games over five hundred, with Vancouver next, who are now playing much better than the Canadiens at this time.

Does anyone really believe they can win another game like they did last night?

If they ice the puck and try to hang on again they will be out scored by the Canucks, the answer is to get their speed going and get those legs moving, or you will only be coming home with one win on this road trip.

And you shouldn't have got that one!

One thing really bothered me though, it was Tucker's attempted hit on Brisebois it seemed he was really going after Halak with a leg to his head.

Some things never change!

What Has Happened to the Montreal Canadiens' Defense?

Charles L. Gare — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:49:54 -0500

Where was Carey's defense last night in Edmonton? Another 7-2 drubbing by a team the Canadiens should have beaten.

This is really bringing the Canadiens down.

The Oilers' coach Craig MacTavish said he knew that Carey was a better goalie than what he showed last night. There were a lot of bounces that he normally would have stopped but fortunately went Oilers' way.

The Oilers were in Carey's face all night long. One after another it seemed with Hemsky, Penner, and Cogliano, leaving Montreal with another road lose now totaling seven games.

This win moved the Oilers into eighth place in their division tying them with Vancouver, and the loss drops the Canadiens into sixth place in the East.

As I write this article I'm having trouble making sense of the whole thing, I keep saying there's a better team than this road record shows, but the loses keep piling up.

If something does not change soon and the Habs don't start winning they are in big dilemma that might ultimately ruin their whole season.

The Canadiens now have four more games left on this road trip to hopefully get something out of it, WINS and POINTS. Because coming home to Ottawa isn't going to be a picnic either.

Carey, as he is seen in this picture standing alone in his net makes me wonder at times if that isn't how he feels. In last night's game it looked like his defense was nothing more than statues in front of him. I also felt at times like the whole team left him hung out to dry.

The two goals scored by Montreal where just bounces that went there way, the seven scored by the Oilers seemed to all have eyes.

I can't explain what has happened to the Habs, but I can tell you it is very discouraging. What will they do? Better yet what is Mr. Gainey going to do?

We keep hearing how the coach, the captain, and the GM even the owner Mr. Gillett have faith in this group.

Boy, I don't know.

But I'm starting to lose mine as I watch the Canadiens falter since the All-Star break.

This season is slipping away Bleu, Blanc, Rouge.

So let's pick it up before its to late or you will be on the outside looking in.

Imagine that, from first a year ago to now sixth and falling, it's just a shame.

Canadiens Take a Break from Practice, But Will It Help?

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:32:35 -0500

Montreal Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau cancelled practice Wednesday morning, letting the boys get away from the rink for a while.

The coach said he wanted a change of atmosphere for the whole team, and the players agreed. Captain Saku Koivu said the rest will be good.

But will it help improve the on-ice performance?

The coach and captain both said they hope to forget the last two weeks and get back to playing the hockey they are capable of playing. This team is in desperate frame of mind right now and wants a successful road trip. The first game was a stinker.

As they go into tonight's game in Edmonton, let's hope Montreal plays its game and doesn't just show up, which it seems they have been doing lately.

Carbonneau said winning is difficult during these times of the season, the times where everything you do seems to go wrong. The practice break, hopefully, will serve as a fresh start for the Habs.

But Carbonneau also said it's not too late for Montreal to get its game back. We will know tonight whether the break helped. Let's get behind the Habs and encourage them through this road trip.

How To Spell Sloppy Hockey: Montreal Canadiens

Charles L. Gare — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:35:39 -0500

The Montreal Canadiens are playing sloppy hockey lately and it's the whole team not playing up to their potential.

TSN put out a poll asking what is causing Montreal's poor play at this time - Carey Price, defence, Alexei Kovalev's struggles, or injuries.

I picked defence, but the majority picked Price, which I find a little hard to believe even though I know Carey has looked a little out of place since his return from injury.

But if the defence doesn't hold up, you cannot expect the goalie to stop everything.

Price has saved their bacon more often than not, only to find that they couldn't score at the other end of the ice.

In last night's game in Calgary, Jaroslav Halak was hung out to dry twice - two power plays turned into two short handed goals.

As I've already said, sloppy hockey is spelled "Montreal Canadiens." Because of sloppy puck handling, it resulted in these two goals against.

The Canadiens were leading 2-1 at the end of the first period, by the end of the second it was all in the Flames favour with a 4-2 score.

When the game ended it was 6-2, a very disappointing result, but now it's on to Edmonton with hopefully a different ending and the start of a winning streak.

It seems at times like the Habs players are holding their sticks too tight, almost like they are afraid to make the play for fear it will backfire.

Even their All-Star defencemen Komisarek gave the puck away in his own end, leaving Halak to make a big save.

I still hold high hopes for this trip: one down and five to go, but since shortly after the Christmas break their road record has been sloppiness extraordinaire.

And it's not one player it is the whole team.

Will This Trip West Help or Bust the Canadiens Season?

Charles L. Gare — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:24:03 -0500

As the Canadiens travel west this week what will be the end result?

Will it help them solidify a position as true contender in the east or totally bust their season?

It was very confusing as they played Buffalo and then Toronto this past weekend. In the game against the Sabres they out played them by a wide margin, but couldn't score on Miller. They out shot the Sabres fifteen to five in the first period and then came the second and as soon as Buffalo scored you could feel the wind coming out of the Habs.

It was all down hill after that!

Price seemed to be very uncomfortable in net and it showed, not that his defence was helping him at all. Saturday not only did they not out play Toronto, but they where left completely looking silly.

A wide open net and the only thing that got hit was a post. Toronto could shoot from anywhere and they couldn't help but put the puck in the net.

In the post game interview Carbonneau was asked about Carey and all he could say was that he let in five goals what else can I say, poor Carey. All he could come up with was we have to stop this and it cannot go on like this for the rest of the season.

The game tonight against Calgary is the first of six games that will end in the east with Pittsburgh. If they come home with five out of six wins that would be terrific as that would give them ten points.

Calgary is not playing up to their ability right now and the Habs have beat them once this season at home. Edmonton is not a real threat, but not a push over either. Colorado is sometimes up and other times down, but again you just never know.

Vancouver has been playing well lately and Chicago got a bit of a surprise Saturday evening. The Capitals and then Pittsburgh follow these games with the Canadiens already beating Washington at home and the same with Pittsburgh.

The Canadiens road record has been woeful lately and will need to improve greatly for them to come home next Saturday with a winning record, and then face Ottawa who has pulled off a couple of wins on the weekend.

I guess as a fan of the Canadiens it is going to be wait and see through this six gamer out west. Like the little clown the Habs could put a smile on your face, or leave you looking and feeling very sad. Let's hope we're all smiling!

Montreal Canadiens Need Weekend Wins to Overcome Long Injury List

Charles L. Gare — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:37:55 -0500

It seems this is another one of those years for the Canadiens.

Injuries have struck down George Laraque, Patrice Brisebois, Robert Lang, Mathieu Dandenault, Alex Tanguay, and Guillaume Latendresse, and when one player comes back another goes down.

The Habs have had a reasonably good time of it this season, even with all the injury woes. But can they keep it up? Tonight's game against the Sabres will show a lot, I feel, because Buffalo seems to be on fire and the Canadiens are coming off a win against Pittsburgh.

If Montreal pulls off a win tonight and then beats Toronto at home, it will go a long way toward showing how capable they are, even with all the injuries. I hope Gainey starts to get some help soon, but not at the cost of Chris Higgins, who is a valuable asset as a two-way player for this team.

On a different note, I don't understand Higgins' why his name keeps coming up on trade rumors. I know it's a business and players come and go in these deals, but I think he is definitely a part of the future of the Canadiens and it would be a mistake to unload him especially for the likes of Matthieu Schneider.

Hopefully, the Canadiens will keep Higgins, get their roster healthy and win a few key upcoming games to remain contenders.

Will Alex Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec, and Andrei Kostitsyn Continue To Produce?

Charles L. Gare — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:56:18 -0500

It seems like this top line comes through at times, but not on a consistent basis. Last night they showed up and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal. I hope this will be the beginning of many more.

When this season began, there were such high hopes for the Canadiens. Last year all the prograstinators had them finishing dead last in their division, but they finished first. This year they would say the Canadiens can do no wrong and will finish first again, possibly being in line for their 25th Stanley Cup.

Along with many injuries and, at times, some very poor play, they still have a good record, but a slide started just before the All-Star break and continued after.

It seems like Mr. Gainey is needing to shore up this team with possibly a major trade both up front and on defense. I find Bob like a magician—he never shows his hand—and I wonder if he will do anything at all.

The game against the Penguins was well played, but you're always on the edge of your seat with this Canadiens team. They have talent, speed, and can put the puck in the net, but then it often seems like the net isn't big enough and they couldn't hit it with a mack truck.

I also know the top line is not the whole team—everyone needs to carry their weight to make this a winning season. Do I seem like I've given up on the 100-year club? I haven't, but at times I feel a little frustrated with them. The season is not over yet, so go Bleu, Blanc, Rouge. We love ya no matter how it all turns out.

Is Alex Kovalev the Same Without the "C"?

Charles L. Gare — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:59:51 -0500

As I look at the Montreal Canadiens since the All-Star break—and it hasn't been long—I see a team that is coming apart at the seams.

I can't speak for Kovalev, but since Koivu has returned from injury Alex has not put the effort into his play.

He only played three shifts in the third period Sunday. It was like Carbonneau was saying if you don't want to play, you won't play.

The coach was asked that very question in his post-game interview—was the removal of the "C" causing a lack of effort on Kovalev's part?

His response was, "I hope that's not the case we will need him if we are to go anywhere in the later part of this season."

Its not just Kovalev.

Price hasn't returned to form as of yet either.

Koivu seems to be doing well since his return.

Now they are faced with another major setback—their top scorer Robert Lang is probably gone for the season after surgery on his Achilles tendon. In addition, Latendresse is injured.

I havn't heard how Gorges is doing since Saturday's violent hit against the Kings—but it seems as if anything can go wrong, it will for this team.

It looks to me like they have throw en up their hands and given up there certainly is a lack of all out effort against teams they should beat.

Lets Go Habs! One and six is not good enough! Show yourself tomorrow against the Penguins, okay?